Conveyancer or Solicitor: Which Is Right for You?

When you buy or sell property in Australia, the legal side can be handled by a licensed conveyancer or by a solicitor. This is often framed as a contest, but it is not really conveyancer against solicitor. They are different professionals, each with genuine strengths, and the right choice depends on your situation and where the property is.

Two different professionals, both qualified for the job

A licensed conveyancer is a qualified, licensed specialist in one thing: the transfer of property. Contracts of sale, title searches, adjustments and settlement are their entire focus.

A solicitor is a qualified lawyer who can do conveyancing as well as a much wider range of legal work, such as wills, estates, family law, disputes and commercial matters.

Both are properly qualified to handle a standard property transfer. The difference is breadth versus depth, and which one suits you depends on what your transaction needs. For the background on the process itself, see our guide on what conveyancing is.

The case for a licensed conveyancer

The biggest strength of a conveyancer is specialisation. Conveyancing is all they do, all day, every day. That focus often means deep, current expertise in property transfers and a smooth, efficient process for a standard sale or purchase.

Pros

• A specialist whose entire practice is property transfers.
• Often more cost-effective for a standard transaction.
• A focused, streamlined service for the most common situations.

Things to keep in mind

• Their scope is the property transfer. If a genuine legal issue arises that sits outside conveyancing, a conveyancer may refer you to a solicitor.

The case for a solicitor

A solicitor brings the breadth of full legal training. If your situation has legal complexity, or touches on other areas such as a trust, an estate or a dispute, a solicitor can advise across all of it.

Pros

• Can advise on complex or related legal matters, not just the transfer.
• One professional if your needs go beyond a standard conveyance.
• Useful where a transaction has unusual risks or legal questions.

Things to keep in mind

• May cost more than a conveyancer for a standard transfer.
• A general-practice solicitor handles property alongside many other areas, so for a routine transfer a property specialist (whether a conveyancer or a solicitor who focuses on property) is often just as well placed. Many solicitors do specialise in property, so it is worth asking where their focus lies.

It depends on the state, too

The choice is not the same everywhere, because the rules differ:

• In NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, you can choose a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor.
• In Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, there are no independent licensed conveyancers. Conveyancing is carried out by a solicitor or law firm. Some firms still use the word “conveyancer” for their staff, but the work is done within a law practice under a solicitor.

So in QLD and the ACT the decision is effectively made for you. Elsewhere, you have a genuine choice.

How to choose

Start with the property and the transaction, not a ranking of professions:

• A standard sale or purchase, in a state with licensed conveyancers? A specialist conveyancer is often an excellent, cost-effective fit.
• Genuine legal complexity, or other legal questions wrapped up in the deal? A solicitor’s breadth earns its place.
• Buying or selling in QLD or the ACT? It will be a solicitor or law firm.

Whichever you choose, make sure they are licensed and able to act where the property is located, and compare a couple of quotes so you can weigh value, not just price. Our conveyancing fees guide explains what makes up the cost.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. When you are ready, tell us about your property and we will connect you with licensed conveyancers (or property solicitors where that is how it works in your state) who can quote, so you can compare and choose.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Convey Connect connects you with licensed conveyancers and property solicitors who provide advice and services directly. Browse more guides.